please help! long-unemployment explanation

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For any of you who have had any extended period of unemployment, when you find yourself in an interview having to explain this period of unemployment, what have you found to have worked as a reasonable explanation? What explanation helped your chances in getting hired or did the least harm to your employability?

On the flip side, what explanations do you feel had a detrimental effect on your employability? I guess to just to know what not to say

I'm never officially unemployed, I'm always self-employed, sometimes I just don't make any money at it.

I work for commision when I am working for myself. It is a lot like my regular job, but instead of being given work to do, I have to go find it myself. Sometimes there is plenty of work, and sometimes there is nothing to do but marketing myself for hire. I just make sure I stay busy and try to get enough work to make ends meet. I like working for someone else much more than being self employed or running my own company.

Yes, been there.

It depends on why you were unemployed, and how long you consider "long". Can you provide just a bit more info? It'd help.

ditto

I've been unemployed for just over a year. I quit that job because my depression showed no signs of alleviating and I felt like I was slowly spiralling into a nervous breakdown. I gave my two weeks because my work ethic was being severely affected by these issues and I did not want to further burden the company. I knew that I could be replaced immediately as they had many working temps, so I didn't feel as bad about leaving. I was working in the mental health division of an insurance company and my job for the most part consisted of explaining benefits, offering referrals, and authorizing counseling procedures.

Yes, leaving the mental health division of an insurance company because of psychological problems is an amusing juxtaposition, but detached amusement does not win over interviewers.

I did not know what Asperger's was at the time. I have a better understanding of myself now, but I still struggle immensely with a lack of self-confidence with regards to looking for work. It's been a long, pathetic year...

Well, I suppose you could always say you spent the year travelling or learning skills in certain areas. Another thing is maybe you had a job that really isn't something for a resume, like babysitting or something like that.

Travelling is probably the best excuse (just make sure to have some supporting info in case you're asked where you've travelled to). You could also say you were in school or training, or that you were taking care of a sick family member, or working on a farm (or similar place) and get someone to lie for you.

I've been unemployed for about several months or so now (laid off due to factors beyond my control.) Still looking for a job, but independant job searches can be so frustrating. So many jobs, and so hard to narrow them down...

It's always a bad idea to lie to a potential employer. Tell the truth, but leave out details they have no right to know - you can be honest but still demand your privacy. So you were having problems with your health, and you didn't want to be a burden on your employer during that time. The fact it was your mental health is none of their business. And the fact that you were considerate of your employer also reflects well on you. I think it's ILLEGAL most places in the US, to discriminate in hiring based on a medical condition that doesn't interfere with your ability to perform the job. (Someone check on this, please?)

If they press you on the matter and demand details, it's a company that will not respect your privacy, and you shouldn't work for them anyway.

I have always made money at it. A few years ago when I was unemployed, I made money as a junk man. I made the contact that led me to the line of work I do know by mowing someone's grass. They liked my work ethic.

I've been unemployed for a few consecutive years. I was unemployed during summer 2004, but had a job cleaning up and landscaping the parks during summer 2005. During summers of 2006 and 2007 I was unemployed again. Right now, I've been turned down for a couple of internships relating to my major: biology. I mean it is so f***ing difficult to find jobs in my area (even if I started searching for jobs during late February).

I'm in the same situation that aguales is in. If an interviewer asks you about your period of unemployment (or lack of employment), what is the most appropriate answer/explanation to such a question in a job interview?

I do not feel comforatle lying and think that they will pick up on that discomfort in the interview...I feel guilty even when I am telling the truth...so lying doesn't work for me. What I have learned to do is find a truth that reflects my reality without divulging to much information that they might use against me. Although you could say "health problems" given the rate of medical insurence...even if they are not supposed to desciminate, they might be afraid you will be sick again or cost them money...I prefer not to plant such seeds in their minds.

I think for me, I would try and put as positive a spin on it as possible. You were taking time off to learn more about psychology(home study and intership<---as a patient ), but didn't plan on going into the field...just thought it would be helpful information and is an interest of yours after working in that field for several years. It was a great learning experience and a needed break but you are excited to get back to work.

If that seems to complex...you can always use the ...a family member(you) needed some at home help and you had to take time off to take care of them.

Think about why the interviewer worries about work breaks....you might be an addict who could relapse any day...maybe you were in jail or living on the street. They don't really care that people don't work, (especially if you are a female and they can assume you were taing care of kids or just living on husbands income)...they just want to weed out the criminals, addicts and nuts(like me) . Sometimes you have to be a little creative to make sure they don't actually do what they are not allowed to do...discriminate against someone with a "disability) based on their own ignorance that that person can still be a good worker.

As far as the confidence thing...I totally relate and it makes interviews very challenging. I do know that I have now worked with enough lazy, unethical, stuipid people that I no longer focus on my own imperfections but try and look at who they could hire just because that person knows how to smile...Know that you are a better worker then many, many people out there who have their own "undiagnosed disabilities"...like inability to get off their cell phones and do some work